Hairy-saddled Colletes vs Blue Mormon

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hairy-saddled Colletes Blue Mormon
Scientific Name Colletes succinctus Papilio polymnestor
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Colletidae Papilionidae
Size 10-13 mm 120-150 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia South Asia (India, Sri Lanka)
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Hairy-saddled Colletes

A late-summer plasterer bee that is a specialist on heather, secreting a cellophane-like lining in its underground nest cells. It is an important heathland indicator species.

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Did You Know?

The cellophane-like substance it secretes to waterproof its nest cells is a unique biopolymer not found in any other group of animals.

Blue Mormon

A large, spectacular swallowtail butterfly with deep black wings overlaid with brilliant blue bands. It is one of the largest butterflies in India and the state butterfly of Maharashtra.

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Did You Know?

The Blue Mormon is the state butterfly of Maharashtra and is protected under Indian wildlife law in certain states.